Local scout does Eagle project
DUCKS FOR AN EAGLE

The ducks probably won't get this wet, but the Wood Duck boxes were put in place Thursday. (photos top clockwise) Ben Nix positions the box on the pole with the help of Jeremy Berryhill (left) and Weston Ramsey. It was a tough job driving the poles in place under water. After the poles were put in place they were cut off so the box would be only three to four feet out of the water.

Scouting is a challenge. but to make the rank of Eagle Scout is the highest honor there is for Scouting, and one Kilgore boy is attempting just that.

Ben Nix, 16, in Boy Scout Troop 252, was working on his Eagle requirements this past weekend by completing his community service project.

Nix said he developed a project to be installed at Elder Lake. "I planned the project, got the materials, recruited members of my troop to help with installation, built the project and then supervised the installation of the project," said Nix. "The project is placing five Wood Duck boxes in and around the water at Elder Lake."

Nix said the boxes were made of cedar and the poles they are attached to are PVC pipe. "The pipe was used because it would not rot in the water and the slick surface would prevent predators from climbing it and getting at the baby ducks," said Nix.

Members of the crew selected by Nix were, Jeremy Berryhill, Weston Ramsey and Cotey Hemus, all scouts from Troop 252 who helped build and erect the five Wood Duck boxes.

Nix said the boxes were built in such a way as to provide an adequate area for the nest and then allow the baby ducks to climb out when it was time to head for the water. "These boxes will need no attention once put in place," said Nix.

There are certain things Nix had to accomplish to become an Eagle Scout besides just do- ing the community service project and those are as follows.

1. Be active in your troop, team, crew, or ship for a period of at least six months after you have achieved the rank of Life Scout.

2. Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life. List the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf, including parents/guardians, religious, educational, and employer references.

3. Earn a total of 21 merit badges (10 more than you already have), including the following:
a. First Aid
b. Citizenship in the Community

c. Citizenship in the Nation
d. Citizenship in the World
e. Communications
f. Personal Fitness
g. Emergency Preparedness OR
Lifesaving
h. Environmental Science
i. Personal Management
j. Swimming OR Hiking OR
Cycling
k. Camping
l. Family Life
You must choose only one merit badge listed in items g and j. If you have earned more than one of the badges listed in items g and j, choose one and list the remaining badges to make your total of 21.

4. While a Life Scout, serve actively for a period of six months in one or more of the following positions of responsibility:

* Boy Scout troop. Patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, ?senior patrol leader, troop guide, Order of the Arrow troop representative, den chief, scribe, librarian, historian, quartermaster, junior assistant Scoutmaster, chaplain aide, or instructor.

* Varsity Scout team. Captain, cocaptain, program manager, squad leader, team secretary, Order of the Arrow team representative, librarian, quartermaster, chaplain aide, instructor, or den chief.

* Venturing crew/ship. President, vice president, secretary, treasurer, boatswain, boatswain's mate, yeoman, purser, or storekeeper.

5. While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. (The project should benefit an organization other than Boy Scouting.) The project plan must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your Scoutmaster and troop committee, and the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, BSA publication No. 18-927, in meeting this requirement.

6. Take part in a Scoutmaster conference.

7. Successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review.

Nix said there is an age requirement to be eligible to earn Merit badges, badges of rank, and Eagle Palms may be earned by a registered Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer and the scout may earn these awards until his 18th birthday.

Troop 252's Scoutmaster is Keith Nix, Ben's father. "One thing about scouting it's always a learning experience," said Keith. "When scouts are doing a challenge to earn a badge, we as scoutmasters watch and go for the ride no matter how long it takes or how many times it take, each scout accomplishes it on their own by doing."

Anyone visiting Elder Lake, walking the trails or doing some fishing, keep an eye out for the new Wood Duck boxes and hopefully in the future, lots of Wood Ducks.